ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the consumer side, known as the demand side of the smart grid. It also focuses on the electrical form of energy where the smart grid is likely to have impact. The chapter reports on work done in developing a community demand profile generator that can be adjusted to study particular communities. The evolution of the smart grid is aimed at enabling the consumer to play a more significant role in the energy sector. In order for local communities to engage with the sector, an energy profile generator suitable for local community has been presented, and results indicate where interventions would be possible, including which type of households to target. However, while the demand is obtainable, it is very difficult to evaluate interventions as currently most countries use standard tariffs and also because the actual bill consists of many components. The split in consumer's bill leaves the consumer with only one objective which is to minimize usage.
